Surprise!

by Olivia Jane 

"Andi! Slow down!"

Riley Prescott’s concerned voice broke through the crisp autumn air. His frown deepened as he watched his young wife spur Shasta on harder. "I mean it, Andi!" he called out. She could be impossible sometimes.

Riley glanced down at the battered board of wood his gloved hands gripped. Just last week, Andi had been gallivanting around on Shasta and knocked into the new fence, splitting the top portion. He shook his head.

His bride of several months finally seemed to catch his warning, pulling back gently on the reins in response. Shasta whinnied in protest, raring to go.

Andi spurred her chocolate palomino over to where Riley stood, watching with disapproval.

“What’s been the matter with you, Riley?” she asked, curious. “You didn’t used to be this overprotective.” She tilted her head, her blue eyes twinkling inquisitively at her husband.

He sighed, ready to release his emotions. “Andi, when we got hitched, I became entirely responsible for your well-being.” He shrugged. “Before that, sure, I made sure you didn’t get hurt when we practiced trick riding—or at least tried,” —he cracked a grin— “and pulled you out of some scrapes, but now it’s different. Your brothers would kill me if I let anything happen to you.” He swallowed hard, and not only at the terrifying thought of all three Carter brothers after him.

From the look on Andi’s face, Riley knew she realized his struggle.

The young man cleared his throat. “What do you say we go for a ride together?” he asked, ready to change the subject.

Andi’s face lit up. “You already know my answer,” she responded with a grin.

Riley unwound Dakota’s reins from the nearby hitching post. He swung himself up into the saddle with ease.

Andi’s questioning gaze met his eyes, and before she even spoke, he knew what her request would be.

Instead of voicing the inevitable question, Andi only raised an eyebrow. “Please?”

Riley pretended to grumble, but with a mischievous glance in his wife’s direction, gave Dakota a gentle kick, spurring the Appaloosa into a gallop.

“Riley!” he heard Andi complain behind him, urging Shasta on. “That's not fair!”

He tossed a grin over his shoulder. Relenting, he pulled back ever so slightly on Dakota’s reins to let Andi catch up.

The young man chuckled when she and Shasta reached them.

“Sorry, Andi,” he apologized, still grinning.

Andi just shook her head. Taking advantage of Dakota’s short pause, she gave Shasta a kick and blew past horse and rider.

Riley let out a surprised shout and took off in hot pursuit of his dark-haired wife.

They reached their destination with Shasta just a nose ahead. Together, they came to a stop at Andi’s favorite spot by the creek. Riley slid off Dakota.

“Didn’t think you'd beat me this time,” he admitted, crooked smile evident on his tanned face.

Andi rolled her eyes. “Serves you right. You’re the one who cheated.”

Riley feigned surprise. “Me? Cheat?” He clapped a hand to his chest. “Never!”

Andi couldn't hold back a laugh at her husband’s antics.

Riley watched as she dismounted and settled herself against a wide-trunked tree, thick enough to fit both of them underneath.

He slipped to the ground next to Andi and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“I'm so glad Justin gave us the land here,” Andi said with a happy sigh. “And now it's only a short ride here from our home.”

Our home.

Riley’s chest swelled with pride. When he headed back to the Circle C Ranch those few years ago, he never imagined himself where he was today.

He glanced over at Andi, who had lapsed into silence, her blue gaze looking out over the creek. Loose strands of wavy dark hair were being blown back gently by a soft gust of wind.

Riley was hit with the realization of what a beautiful bride he'd managed to snatch.

Thank You, God, for Your many blessings.

The couple sat in silence for so long Riley felt his eyes begin to drift shut.

“I love you, Riley Prescott,” Andi murmured suddenly. Riley shifted and slid up the black Stetson that had tilted over his eyes. He smiled at Andi.

“All right, what trouble have you gotten into this time?” he teased.

Andi rolled her eyes; bright blue disappearing behind dark lashes for a fraction of a moment. “None,” she promised. “I was just thinking of all of the scrapes you've pulled me out of and this beautiful ranch we’re building together.”

She offered a bright smile, her eyes glowing with excitement. Placing a hand over her abdomen, she added, “And the family we’ll soon have together.”

Riley’s own stomach lurched. “Did I miss something?” he questioned suspiciously. “You're not—?”

She nodded.

Riley jumped to his feet. “Andi!” he exclaimed, joy filling his tanned face.

“You mean it? I'll be a father?” A grin split across his face when his wife answered with a second nod.

“Yahoo!”

Riley yanked his hat off. He raked a hand through his dark hair. “Andi,” he said again, “I’m so happy I could kiss you!”

Andi giggled, no doubt remembering the last time similar words had been spoken by Riley. Not long after her beloved mare, Taffy, had to be put down, Riley had helped her come to realize she was pushing away her family while she dwelt in bitterness.*

When she'd acknowledged the fact, Riley had been ecstatic.

That joyfulness didn't hold a candle to what he was feeling now.

“Well then, Mr. Prescott,” she teased, “what are you waiting for?”

Riley leaned over and planted a kiss on his wife’s forehead. She laughed and took the offered hand.

“What are we waiting for?” he asked, moving in the direction of the horses. “Let's go tell your family! We’ll need to get the house ready, and—”

“Riley!” his wife interrupted. “The baby isn't due for months yet,” she told him. “There's no need to get so riled up.”  

He grinned sheepishly. “Sorry. I'm a little excited.”

Andi’s blue eyes twinkled. “I can tell.”

“I promise I won't break,” she told him when he insisted on keeping Shasta still so she could mount.

He ignored her comment and made sure she was safely atop the palomino before he mounted his Appaloosa with a flying leap.

Riley was sure he'd never been happier. He chattered on as the two trotted back toward home.

“What about a name? I would suggest Andrea if it's a girl, but seeing as you already have a niece with your namesake, maybe we ought to choose something else.”

“We’ll think of a name soon enough, Riley.”

Andi’s smile faded when Riley fell silent moments later. “What's wrong?” she wanted to know.

He glanced up, and his grinning face met hers.

“I'm just thanking God,” he said. “He gave me a beautiful wife, a new home, and now a family. He is so good!”

*The Last Ride